Citizen Lab Identifies Circles Surveillance Deployments in 25 Countries Using Network Scanning
The Citizen Lab investigation reveals that Circles, a surveillance firm affiliated with NSO Group, exploits weaknesses in global mobile phone networks (SS7 protocols) to intercept calls, texts, and track phone locations without hacking the device itself. Using Internet scanning techniques, researchers identified a unique signature from Check Point firewalls used in Circles deployments, uncovering active surveillance operations in at least 25 countries. The report details how Circles sells its systems to nation-states, who connect them to local telecom infrastructure or use the "Circles Cloud" service, enabling mass surveillance of mobile communications.
Key quotes
Circles is a surveillance firm that reportedly exploits weaknesses in the global mobile phone system to snoop on calls, texts, and the location of phones around the globe.
Circles, whose products work without hacking the phone itself, says they sell only to nation-states.
Using Internet scanning, we found a unique signature associated with the hostnames of Check Point firewalls used in Circles deployments, enabling us to identify Circles deployments in at least 25 countries.
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